Community Based Worker
About The Position
Quinault Wellness Center is seeking a compassionate, resourceful, patient-focused Community Based Worker to help individuals navigate healthcare services and connect with resources that support their health and well-being. The role focuses on helping patients identify, access, and navigate resources that address individual needs and barriers to care. The worker serves as a link between patients, healthcare providers, and community organizations. The position supports patients receiving medical, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, dental, and pharmacy services. It involves identifying needs and finding practical solutions, including connections to housing assistance, transportation, food resources, insurance coverage, financial assistance, educational opportunities, social services, and other community programs. The worker also coordinates appointments, referrals, and follow-up, and may accompany or transport patients to appointments and community resources when appropriate.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- Experience working with individuals in healthcare, behavioral health, social services, community services, or a human services environment.
- Knowledge of healthcare systems, community resources, and available support services.
- Ability to research, identify, and connect individuals with appropriate community resources and assistance programs.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build trusting relationships with patients, families, healthcare providers, and community partners.
- Ability to assist individuals with navigating applications, referrals, appointments, and resource programs.
- Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and lived-experience backgrounds.
- Understanding of social and cultural factors affecting health and wellness, including trauma, family, community, and historical experiences.
- Knowledge of patient confidentiality requirements, HIPAA, and protected health information (PHI).
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and appropriately handle sensitive information.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to coordinate multiple referrals, appointments, and follow-up activities.
- Computer skills, including Microsoft Office, electronic health records, and standard office equipment.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- Excellent customer service, professionalism, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
- Valid driver's license and ability to be insured through the organization.
- Must successfully pass a criminal background investigation, pre-employment drug screen, and reference inquiry.
Nice To Haves
- Associate or bachelor's degree in social work, human services, healthcare administration, behavioral health, public health, or a related field.
- Experience in care coordination, case management, patient navigation, or community health services.
- Experience working in an integrated healthcare setting, including primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, or substance use disorder treatment.
- Knowledge of local community resources, housing programs, transportation services, social service agencies, and healthcare systems.
- Experience using electronic health records and referral management systems.
Responsibilities
- Identify individual patient needs and connect patients with appropriate community resources and support services.
- Help patients navigate applications, referrals, eligibility requirements, and assistance programs.
- Research local, regional, and statewide resources to address patient needs.
- Assist patients with accessing housing, food assistance, transportation, insurance, financial support, and other social services.
- Coordinate appointments, referrals, and follow-up services to help patients stay connected with healthcare providers.
- Provide outreach and follow-up to encourage patient engagement and help overcome barriers to care.
- Accompany or transport patients to appointments, referrals, and community resources when appropriate.
- Build relationships with community agencies, social service organizations, and other resource providers.
- Collaborate with medical, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, and substance use disorder treatment teams to coordinate patient support.
- Maintain accurate documentation of patient interactions, referrals, resource connections, and follow-up activities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
